The UK Royal Navy conducted an intensive 72-hour operation last week, deploying three warships and a Merlin helicopter to monitor four Russian vessels — including two sanctioned cargo ships — as they passed through the North Sea and into the English Channel toward Dover. The Russian destroyer Admiral Levchenko was observed escorting the sanctioned cargo vessels General Skobelev and Sparta, while Russia deployed its own frigate, the Neustrashimy, to guard the shipment. The operation underscores growing concern about Russian maritime activity in British waters, with the First Sea Lord warning of an "unacceptable risk" posed by shadow fleet vessels, amid broader tensions following the UK's pledge of continued military support to Ukraine.